Introduction

You will all be pleased to hear of our continued growth and extension of activities. To cope with all this and our plans for the future we have strengthened the management team to include the services of Jim Betteridge and Mr and Mrs Ben Allen who will assist on the secretarial side. All systems are set for "GO" in fact except for our lack of a suitable Headquarters. Many of you will have seen the report in the local press recently where our Chairman is quoted highlighting our problem. It is hoped that the press report will encourage a greater understanding of the need for premises. We are, after all, the only historic town in Suffolk without a Museum and desperately need a place to centralise our activities and that of our Guides and to provide more storage for our growing volume and variety of display items etc... The committee would be delighted to follow-up any suggestions. So go to it members and let's be hearing from you.

NEXT MEETING - 8TH MAY (Tuesday)

The next meeting of the Society will be at 8 p.m.. on Tuesday 8th May . The meeting will be held in the Council Offices Corks Lane Hadleigh. Since the Society's Executive Committee has unanimously agreed to recommend the Offices for a Civic Trust award this will also be an opportunity for at least some of the building to be viewed. Michael Hills of the very long established firm of clock makers 'Hills of Sudbury' will give a talk on clocks and clock making. Mr Hills is a very entertaining speaker and is a keen member of the historical societies of Sudbury. All are freely welcome with non-members being asked to contribute 50p.

THE GUILDHALL'S MEDIEVAL KITCHEN

There is good news on this front with contracts 'Out' and work due to start in June. Mr Harry Barnett, one of Suffolk County Council's Conservation Officers, is providing one and possibly two oaks from Bradfield Woods to replicate the mantel beams over the hearth area. It is hoped that Anglia Television will make a filmed sequence of the restoration which will make fascinating viewing and attract a wide audience.

SUFFOLK INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY

The planned A.G.M. has been deferred until 8th September. Details of the proposed use of our Guides will thus have to be advised later.

SPRING HOLIDAY WEEK-END - 28th MAY (Monday)

A car boot sale and display on the Hadleigh Football ground is planned for the Spring holiday week-end. We are indebted to the Hadleigh Football Club for use of the grounds for this purpose and to Bruce Sutherland for the marquee that is to be erected. It is intended to display the Sutherland Collection of old farm implements which a team of volunteers from the Society recently restored for this purpose and Stationary engines and vintage vehicles. Members will be invited to contribute articles for sale from car boots and to furnish a cake stall. All profits will go to the Exhibitions Fund after donation to Hadleigh Football Club.

Whilst on the subject we are always on the look out for interesting items for display and if you know of anything available we should be most grateful to hear from you. Mrs Jane Haylock at the Idler Bookshop in Hadleigh High Street is compiling a record for future use when we find a home.

SUMMER 'OUTING' - 16th JUNE (Saturday)

We are delighted to announce that arrangements have been made to visit the splendidly restored Gardens near Old Warden in Bedfordshire. The work has been undertaken by Bedfordshire County Council with whom arrangements are to be confirmed in the near future. Details of the visit will be advised as soon as possible but a coach is to be laid on and this should prove a very worthwhile day out. For those interested in the past in aviation rather than the Gardens the coach will drop off and pick up later at the Shuttleworth Collection on Old Warden Aerodrome.

SURVEY OF FACILITIES FOR THE HANDICAPPED

A study of the towns facilities is being undertaken by Mrs Nelson of Churchill Avenue and it is felt that all members will wish the Society to put its weight behind this venture. Should you know of any particular problem areas please contact the Secretary at 20 Angel Street (Tel. 822063) who will pass on the information. It will be appreciated that often the disabled loathe to advertise their difficulties but with a little thought much can be done to initiate improvements whether complained of or not. So once again please do not be backward in coming forward.

PROJECTS FOR 1984/1985

Various suggestions have been made on behalf of the Society to Babergh District Council. These include improvement of wirescape in the conservation areas and endorse­ment of the policy for additional Lay by's and other methods of reducing pavement parking. There is a proposal to provide a Bicycle Motor Cross (BMX) track for the young in the area and members are asked to make their views known to the Secretary.

HADLEIGH EXHIBITION - SUMMER 1984

It is once again intended to make a grand display of the many items we have already available for presentation and to include Jan Hopkins very successful handicraft weaving exhibition. The organisers of the Architects and Artists Tour have asked us to 'lend' the Hadleigh Exhibition for presentation in the Assembly Room for the week of 12th May onwards and from early June when it will be displayed in St Mary's Church for the Summer season. Our team of Stewards would greatly welcome your assistance in manning the display if only for a short period. Any member or potential member who can spare an hour or more is asked to contact Mr J. Wilding of Potts Farm, Layham, Hadleigh (Tel. 822160) who is co-ordinating the team of Stewards.

GUTHRUM'S CHURCH - STOP PRESS

It is hoped that the 'dig' for Guthrum's Church will commence this Summer and, no doubt, this will attract much attention. The Suffolk County Council Archaeological Unit will be in charge of all work but your assistance may be required to help clear the site and to lend a hand with the excavating. Non-diggers will be most welcome to act as Guides and to help the many visitors who are expected. So step forward with perhaps your family and friends and let us have your names either direct to the Secretary or by telephone to Hadleigh 822063 or 823991.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 29th JUNE

It is important that you all try and attend this meeting which is to be held at 8 p.m..in the OLD TOWN HALL bringing along a friend or two who may care to join us. Subscription rates remain unaltered and may be paid at the A.G.M. or direct to the Secretary (using the attached slip if desired). Items for the Agenda should` also be sent to the Secretary well in advance of the meeting if this is possible. Not all will be business and some excellent films on East Anglia and 'Whatever happened to the Countryside' will be shown.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

STOP PRESS

Please be on the lookout for anything which could locate the 'Hadleigh Standard Weights' which were taken from a cabinet in St Mary's Church. A photograph should appear in the 'Anglian' in the near future.

RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP FROM 1ST JUNE 1984

NB. £6 (joint) £4 (full) Half fee (Senior Citizens) £1 (junior member)